October is still a couple of weeks away, but this coming weekend is a popular one for Oktoberfest celebrations in Fairfax County.
Several local breweries will host events, while other festivities will encompass an entire neighborhood. Whether you’re looking for the carnival atmosphere of the original Oktoberfest in Munich, a multi-week affair that kicks off this Saturday (Sept. 21), or a more low-key environment for feasting and socializing, options abound.
Fair Winds Annual Nautifest Celebration (Friday, Sept. 20, 12-10 p.m.)
Fair Winds Brewing Company will celebrate Oktoberfest with the return of its annual Märzen lager and a stein-holding competition, with two tickets to its barbecue competition coming up on Oct. 5 as the prize.
The Lorton brewer (7000 Newington Road, Suites K & L) will also offer free raffles, live music from 4-6 p.m. by singer-songwriter Matty D, and German cuisine from Occoquan’s Mill St. Draft Garden and the food truck Wagon Wheel.
Settle Down Easy’s 6th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration (Saturday, Sept. 21, 12-6 p.m.)
Four weeks of Oktoberfest festivities kick off this Saturday at Settle Down Easy Brewing’s West Falls Church location (2822 Fallfax Drive). A $30 general admission ticket covers a commemorative beer stein, one fill of beer, a free pretzel necklace, a kielbasa skewer, a choice of a brat or a German pretzel, and a VIP pass to jump the beer line.
The celebration will continue with a Fall Oysterfest on Saturday, Sept. 28, Steeze Burger Fest on Oct. 5 and the third annual Pierogi Fest on Oct. 12. Already sold out, the Pierogi Fest will offer multiple stations where people can sample five of the Polish dumplings for $12, along with lagers and live music.
Oktoberfest Bavarian Kickoff (Saturday, Sept. 21, 1-6 p.m.)
Shipgarten in Tysons (7581 Colshire Drive) will have over 50 beers on tap from Germany, Belgium, Austria and the U.S., including some from breweries whose representatives will be in attendance for a meet-and-greet.
Starting with a ribbon-cutting and a ceremonial keg tapping, the free event will bring an afternoon of competitions, including a pretzel toss, stein-to-stein pour, keg curling, a costume contest and stein hosting. Following a live music performance, the celebration will segue into an after party until closing time at 2 a.m.
Oktoberfest ’24 at Bunnyman Brewing (Sept. 21-22 and Sept. 28)
For its fourth annual Oktoberfest, Bunnyman Brewing’s Burke location (5583 Guinea Road) promises two days of games, music, German food from Manassas-based Bratworks, and a full lineup of beers, slushies and shakes. Drink specials are included with the purchase of a custom, handmade salt-glazed stein.
According to its website, the brewery’s Lorton spot — which opened in late June at the Workhouse Arts Center (9514 Workhouse Way) — will get in on the fun next Saturday, Sept. 28 with a polka band and German fare from its cafe.
Oktoberfest at The Boro (Saturday, Sept. 21, 2-5 p.m.)
The first 150 people to arrive at The Boro’s festival in Tysons (8350 Broad Street) will get a branded beer mug. All visitors can expect a biergarten at The Sandlot with Oktoberfest, pumpkin and traditional beers, along with the return of a beer stein-holding competition. The winner will get a gift certificate to a restaurant in the neighborhood.
Fun of the non-alcoholic variety will come in the form of a polka band, Bavarian dance workshops and performances, and kids’ activities, such as face-painting, crafts and glitter tattoos. The restaurant El Bebe (8354 Broad Street) will have an exclusive Oktoberfest menu with a pork schnitzel sandwich, hot dog, bratwurst and pretzel bites as well as beers, cocktails and ciders.
The event is free, but registration through Eventbrite is encouraged. If it gets rained out, it will be moved to 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Oktoberfest Sonnabend (Sunday, Sept. 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Reston’s Lake Anne Brew House (11424 Washington Plaza West) says its Oktoberfest Sonnabend will be a “soiree unlike any we’ve thrown before,” featuring its 2024 Market Fest beer and “a full smorgasbord” of German appetizers charcuterie and desserts.
Attendees can also buy an exclusive, limited-release stoneware mug that comes in four different shapes and colors. Admission costs $30.
“Tickets are going fast for our OKTOBERFEST PARTY this coming Sunday evening!” Lake Anne Brew House said in a Facebook post. “Don your lederhosen or dirndl and join us for an evening of fun, food, friends, LIVE MUSIC, and the best beer this side of Deutschland!”
Fort Belvoir’s 26th Annual Oktoberfest (Oct. 3-6)
The Army fort will celebrate Oktoberfest with a four-day festival at Fremont Field (2104 Goethals Road). While access is limited to people who have or are sponsored by someone with a Department of Defense ID, those who are able to attend can expect German cuisine, drinks, music, dancing, carnival rides and games, and a Volksmarch 5K and 10K Walk.
Vienna Oktoberfest (Saturday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.)
As previously reported, this will be the Town of Vienna’s 15th Oktoberfest. Organized by the Vienna Business Association, the event will have food, entertainment, a beer garden and an artisan market.
The food options have now been posted on the event’s website, which lists 26 different vendors.
